Grab your snow suits and your faux fur as one of St Andrews’ most popular eateries has launched its après ski takeover in time for Christmas.
Taking place for the month of December up until January 1, 2023, Hatch on South Street will offer up a bespoke food and drink menu, as well as multiple events to help get residents in St Andrews in the festive spirit.
Julie Dalton, owner of Hatch and neighbouring sister restaurant The Adamson said this is the firm’s way of injecting festive cheer into the town due to it not having its own Christmas market.
The après ski concept was first launched in 2018 in Hatch ahead of its opening, operating the space as a pop-up. Working in partnership with Veuve Clicquot
It will take place from Thursday to Sunday each week, opening from 4pm until midnight on Thursdays, noon to midnight Friday and Saturday and on Sundays it will open from noon until 6pm.
She said: “We wanted it to feel as if you could go for a ski experience. It has evolved a lot over the years and we just wanted to do something fun that everyone can enjoy.”
Both Hatch and The Adamson’s outdoor areas will be used for the takeover to accommodate demand. Outside a total of 70 covers can be seated while Hatch can seat 50 inside.
What’s on offer?
The food and drink menus have been redesigned exclusively for the après ski event, with street food and dishes inspired by the slopes the main focus.
Everything from baked camembert with crusty bread, a chicken burger, hot dogs, calamari and halloumi fries will be on offer, and hot churros will also be available, as well as a potato stick.
Julie added: “It’s food you’d have just coming off the slopes – something comforting and warm. There’s not a Christmas market in town so we’ve got Christmas market style food as well.”
On the drinks front, there’s a lot of focus around Veuve Clicquot with the cocktails. Customers can expect a Rudolph Royale with raspberry and strawberry liqueur, The Grinch, which is Bailey’s and Creme de Menthe cocktail with a meringue on top, and the Ski Lodge which is Hennessy, Benedictine and Grand Marnier.
Steins (double pints), hot cocktails, mulled wine, baby Guinness shots, Jagermeister and hot toddies will also be available to purchase. And for those who are drinking but want something different, there will be a spiced apple punch which can also be served alcoholic, too.
Drinks prices vary from £3.95 for mulled wine, £5.95 for a hot toddy, boozy hot chocolates are £6.95 and a glass of Champagne will cost you £14.50.
Freezing Fridays
As if the food and drink offering isn’t enough to entice customers down, the venue will also host Freezing Fridays events where a snow machine will be blasting out faux snow every Friday evening.
Those attending the nights are encouraged to dress in snow suits and après ski gear to really get the party going.
Local DJ Vanessa Motion from Kingdom FM will be providing the entertainment and Julie says it’s sure to be “a lot of fun”.
Breakfast with Santa and other events
Ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy, Julie has also launched a lunch and breakfast event for families where children can meet Santa.
The lunch takes place on December 18 from 1.15pm and the breakfast on December 22 from 10am.
Children will get the chance to meet Santa, receive a teddy or a toy, and will also enjoy a main course, juice and ice cream for £12.95 per child. Adults will receive a meal and a drink for £16.95.
Supporting Mission Christmas for Cash for Kids this year, every bill will have a discretionary charge of £1 added to it until December 16. The business will match every £1 donated.
Julie added: “Most of the management team have children and one of my managers noticed a Giving tree to donate presents for children. One of the children has said ‘Can I have a teddy bear and just one biscuit’. I was in tears and we just wanted to support them to help put a smile on faces.
There may also be wreath making classes and other events scheduled in the coming weeks.
Other pictures of what to expect at the Après Ski takeover…
Conversation